Pipe nipple

ABSTRACT

A pipe nipple has a bore configuration at one end thereof for receiving a tool therein to rotate the nipple about its longitudinal axis. The exterior of the nipple has surface formations as a stop against which a hose can be inserted over the nipple.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present regular application claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Serial No. 60/410,745, filed Sep. 13, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to pipe nipples, and,more particularly, the present invention relates to pipe nipples used astransition pieces between hoses and other system components inautomobile cooling systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Pipe nipples are commonly used as transition pieces in fluidsystems of all types. In a basic form thereof, a pipe nipple is a shortpiece of pipe with each of the ends adapted for connection to othercomponents or other pipes within the fluid system.

[0004] It is known to use pipe nipples in automobile cooling systems asa transition piece between cooling system components such as, forexample, a water pump, and a hose conducting coolant to or from thepump. One end of the nipple has external threads thereon for threadedengagement with a threaded port on the pump, and the other end of thepipe nipple is adapted to receive thereon a prepared end of the hose. Aring clamp is used to secure the hose on the nipple. A portion of thenipple between the threads and the opposite end of the nipple isprovided for engagement by a tool used to turn the nipple threads intothe threads of the pump threaded port. The portion of the nipple engagedby the tool may be round or may have flattened faces, depending on thetype of tool to be used for rotating the nipple. Known nipples of thistype have been manufactured by machining processes.

[0005] Known automotive cooling system nipples have disadvantages andinadequacies. Manufacturing a cooling system nipple by screw machiningor other similar cutting equipment inherently leaves grooves on allsurfaces that are touched by the machine tool. Such grooves on theinterior surface of the pipe nipple bore are problematic to some degree.A rough surface along which the coolant flows increases the frictionco-efficient in the pipe nipple, which then tends to inhibit the flow ofcoolant through the nipple. Moreover, a rough surface promotes theaccumulation of corrosive products, which not only may adversely affectthe strength of the connector, but also further inhibit flow through thepipe nipple.

[0006] On relatively short nipples, as commonly found in automotivecooling systems, the external surface provided for driving or rotatingthe nipple is small. Thus, it is difficult to engage the nipple with theproper drive tool, and positioning the tool off the drive surface candamage the threads on one end of the nipple or damage the mating surfacefor the hose on the other end of the nipple. If driven with a commonwrench, it is necessary to rotate the nipple a short distance,disengage, reposition and re-engage the wrench to rotate the nipple afurther distance, continuing repetitively until the nipple is properlyseated in the water pump. This procedure can be time consuming. Further,the more times that the tool is disengaged from and re-engaged with thepipe nipple increases the possibility that the tool will be improperlypositioned causing the aforementioned damage or not properly seating todrive the nipple.

[0007] To effectively seat the hose on the nipple in a fluid tightconnection, the end of the hose is stretched somewhat to slide over thenipple. When the hose is applied over the nipple end, it is difficult toverify the length of the nipple portion within the hose. If aninsufficient length of the nipple is in the hose, the ring clamp appliedthere around may not function effectively. Further, with the hose endstretched, as the hose ages and becomes more brittle, cracks in the cutend of the hose on the nipple can propagate inwardly, eventually causingleakage and failure.

[0008] What is needed in the art is a pipe nipple formed by processesnot using cutting tools on fluid contacting surfaces with a new, moreeffective drive configuration for the nipple.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a pipe nipple particularly suitedfor automotive cooling systems which is formed by cold formingprocesses, has an elongated internal drive configuration, and can beprovided with a positive stop for the end of a hose applied thereon.

[0010] In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a method ofmanufacturing a pipe nipple for an automobile cooling system, with stepsof cold-forming a tubular body having first and second ends and a borethere through from the first end to the second end; threading a portionof the body from the first end inwardly toward the second end; formingan outwardly extending flange at the second end; and shaping the borefrom the second end inwardly toward the first end to receive a tooltherein for rotating the nipple about a longitudinal axis of the nipple.

[0011] In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides anipple with a tubular body having an outer surface, first and secondends and a longitudinal bore there through. The first end has threadsthereon, and the second end has an outwardly extending flange and isconfigured to receive a hose thereon. The bore is configured at thesecond end for receiving a tool therein for axially rotating the nipple.

[0012] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides apipe nipple for an automobile cooling system. The nipple has a tubularbody having an outer surface, a first end having threads adapted forengagement with threads of a cooling system component, a second endadapted to be received in a cooling system hose, and a longitudinal boreextending there through. The second end has an outwardly extendingflange and is configured for a hose to slide over the flange. The boreis configured at the second end for receiving a tool therein for axiallyrotating the nipple.

[0013] An advantage of the present invention is providing a pipe nippleparticularly suited for automotive cooling systems, in which the fluidcontacting surfaces are not touched by cutting tools thereby eliminatingeven micro-scratches on the surfaces.

[0014] Another advantage of the present invention is providing a pipenipple having a large contact area for engagement by a tool or tools torotate the nipple.

[0015] Still another advantage of the present invention is providing astop on the exterior of the pipe nipple for verifying that an end of thehose applied over the end of the nipple has been applied sufficientlyfar onto the nipple.

[0016] A further advantage of the present invention is providing a pipenipple configured to allow the end of the hose to relax, reducing crackpropagation inwardly from the end of the hose.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the followingdetailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals areused to designate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a pipe nipple in accordance withthe present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is an end view of the pipe nipple shown in FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to that of FIG. 1, butillustrating a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021]FIG. 4 is an end view of the pipe nipple shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as wellas additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to FIG. 1 inparticular, numeral 10 designates a pipe nipple in accordance with thepresent invention. Nipple 10 is particularly suited for use as a nipplein an automotive cooling system, to serve as a transition between, forexample, a hose of the cooling system and a water pump in the coolingsystem. However, it should be understood that pipe nipples in accordancewith the present invention can be used for other purposes withinautomotive cooling system and for other fluid systems of other types.

[0024] Nipple 10 is an elongated, generally annular body 12 having anexterior surface 14 and an axial bore 16 defined by an interior surface18. Nipple 10 is formed of steel or other metals by known cold formingprocesses such as, for example, eyelet forming or metal drawing. Usingpunches, dies and the like without machining or cutting to form theelongated structure of body 12 eliminates contact by cutting tools oninterior surface 18. Thereby, scratches are not formed on interiorsurface 18, and corrosive components do not accumulate thereon. Further,fluid flows smoothly and efficiently along interior surface 18 withreduced drag from the reduced presence of surface irregularities.

[0025] Body 12 has a first end 20 and a second end 22. A portion ofexterior surface 14 from first end 20 inwardly toward second end 22 isprovided with a pipe thread 24. Pipe thread 24 is of a pitch and depthto engage female threads in a fluid system component to which nipple 10is to be attached. For example, pipe threads 24 can be provided toengage a threaded port of a water pump (not shown).

[0026] Second end 22 is adapted to receive thereon a hose (not shown) ofan automotive cooling system. Second end 22 is provided with a radiallyextending circumferential flange 26 slightly inwardly from an outer edge28 of second end 22. A ramp surface 30 is provided between outer edge 28and flange 26. The diameter of nipple 10 at outer edge 28 is provided toreadily receive and align a hose (not shown) to be inserted thereon.However, the diameter of flange 26 is slightly larger than the insidediameter of the hose (not shown), causing the house to stretch as it isslid over flange 26. Exterior surface 14 is provided of a diameter tosnuggly engage the hose.

[0027] For rotating nipple 10 about its longitudinal axis, to drive thenipple relative to the threaded member to which nipple 10 is connected,a drive configuration 40 is provided in bore 16 from second end 22inwardly toward first end 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, nipple10 is provided with six corner points 42 by which a hexagonal drive toolcan be inserted into bore 16 for rotating nipple 10. As compared withprior known nipples, drive configuration 40 can be of significantlylonger length. Further, with an end drive configuration 40 ratchetingtools or other powered rotary tools are more easily used for rotatingnipple 10.

[0028] Exterior surface 14 is provided with one or more surfaceformations 44, such as a plurality of outwardly extending wings 46,which provide both a visual and physical indication when a hose (notshown) has been sufficiently applied over nipple 10. With a hose (notshown) applied with its end against wings 46, a ring clamp or hose clamp(not shown) can encircle the hose between wings 46 and flange 26 toproperly seal the hose against the nipple in a fluid tight connection.

[0029]FIG. 3 illustrates a nipple 50 also in accordance with the presentinvention. Nipple 50 is similar to nipple 10, as evidenced by thesimilar numerals indicating similar parts and features between nipples10 and 50. However, nipple 50 includes a different surface formation 44.A circumferential ring 52 is provided instead of wings 46. Ring 52serves a similar purpose as wings 46, providing a stop against which theend of a hose (not shown) can be abutted. A circumferential depression54 is provided in exterior surface 14 immediately adjacent ring 52, atleast on the side of ring 52 facing the hose (not shown) to be appliedthereon. Depression 54 allows the end of the hose (not shown) to relax,thereby reducing the propensity for cracks to propagate inwardly in thehose from the outer end thereof.

[0030] Surface formations 44, such as wings 46 and ring 52, can beformed by metal pinching or other similar processes well known to thoseskilled in the metal forming arts.

[0031] In using either nipple 10 or nipple 50, thread 24 is aligned withthe mating threads of the component to which nipple 10 or 50 is to beattached. To tighten the nipple in the component, the appropriate toolis inserted into drive configuration 40, and is rotated to tighten thenipple. By driving nipples 10 and 50 from the ends thereof, ratchetingtools and the like are used more easily than with conventional nipplesdriven from the exterior surface 14 thereof. The tool is easily seatedproperly in drive configuration 40, and the danger of damaging threads24 or of the area of exterior surface 14 on which a hose will be seatedis reduced substantially.

[0032] To attach a hose to second end 22, the hose is slid over rampsurface 30 and flange 26. When the end of the hose approaches thesurface formation 44, such as wings 46 or ring 52, the installer isassured that a sufficient length of the hose is present on the nipple tobe properly sealed thereon by an appropriate clamp. With nipple 50, theouter edge of the hose is positioned in depression 54, thereby relievingthe strain of the hose stretched over body 12. Crack origination andpropagation inwardly from the end of the hose is reduced.

[0033] The present invention provides an improved automotive coolingsystem pipe nipple which is more easily driven for engagement with othercooling system components and which eliminates scratches on fluidcontacting surfaces which can form corrosion sites and inhibit fluidflow there along. Further, the invention provides both a physical andvisual indication when a hose has been applied over the nipple a lengthsufficient for proper engagement by a clamp ring used to secure the hoseon the nipple. In one embodiment of the invention the end of a hoseapplied on the nipple is allowed to relax to reduce crack formation andcrack propagation.

[0034] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within thescope of the present invention. It is understood that the inventiondisclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations oftwo or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from thetext and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitutevarious alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodimentsdescribed herein explain the best modes known for practicing theinvention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize theinvention. The claims are to be construed to include alternativeembodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

[0035] Various features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a pipe nipple for anautomobile cooling system, comprising: cold-forming a tubular bodyhaving first and second ends and a bore there through from said firstend to said second end, including: threading a portion of said body fromsaid first end inwardly toward said second end; forming an outwardlyextending flange at said second end; and shaping said bore from saidsecond end inwardly toward said first end to receive a tool therein forrotating said nipple about a longitudinal axis of the nipple.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, said shaping step including forming corners in saidbore for receiving a hex tool therein.
 3. The method of claim 1,including forming an outwardly extending formation on said nipplebetween and spaced from said first and second ends.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, including forming a plurality of outwardly extending wings assaid formation.
 5. The method of claim 3, including forming acircumferential ring as said formation.
 6. The method of claim 5,including forming a circumferential depression adjacent said ring.
 7. Anipple comprising: a tubular body having an outer surface, first andsecond ends and a longitudinal bore there through; said first end havingthreads thereon; said second end having an outwardly extending flangeand being configured to receive a hose thereon; and said bore configuredat said second end for receiving a tool therein for axially rotatingsaid nipple.
 8. The nipple of claim 7, said bore being configured atsaid second end for receiving a hex tool therein.
 9. The nipple of claim7, said outer surface of said nipple having at least one outwardlyextending formation between said threads and said flange functioning asa stop for a hose inserted on said nipple.
 10. The nipple of claim 9,said at least one formation including a plurality of spaced wings. 11.The nipple of claim 9, said at least one formation including acircumferential ring about said nipple.
 12. The nipple of claim 11,including a circumferential depression adjacent said circumferentialring on a side of said ring toward said second end.
 13. The nipple ofclaim 7, made by cold forming.
 14. A pipe nipple for an automobilecooling system, said nipple comprising: a tubular body having an outersurface, a first end having threads adapted for engagement with threadsof a cooling system component, a second end adapted to be received in acooling system hose, and an axial bore extending there through; saidsecond end having an outwardly extending flange and being configured fora hose to slide over said flange; and said bore configured at saidsecond end for receiving a tool therein for rotating said nipple aboutthe axis thereof.
 15. The nipple of claim 14, said bore being configuredat said second end for receiving a hex tool therein.
 16. The nipple ofclaim 14, said outer surface of said nipple having at least oneoutwardly extending formation between said threads and said flangefunctioning as a stop for a hose inserted on said nipple.
 17. The nippleof claim 16, said at least one formation including a plurality of spacedwings.
 18. The nipple of claim 16, said at least one formation includinga circumferential ring about said nipple.
 19. The nipple of claim 18,including a circumferential depression adjacent said circumferentialring on a side of said ring toward said second end.
 20. The nipple ofclaim 14, made by cold forming.